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Haddonfield ADU and Duplex Proposals: What Commissioners Discussed

July work-session proposals would expand ADUs borough-wide, limit duplexes to three zones and cut residential coverage. No ordinance has been adopted.

By Live Haddonfield ยท

If you have been waiting for Haddonfield to say something clear about accessory dwellings and duplexes, the clearest public discussion so far was the July 13, 2026 Board of Commissioners work session. Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough walked commissioners through recommended master plan changes from Pennoni. The focus was ADUs, duplexes and building coverage. She described the recommendations as a working document that could not be handed out that night.

These are proposals. They are not adopted ordinances.

What the ADU recommendation said

Pennoni recommended allowing accessory dwelling units borough-wide as a conditional use. Earlier drafts had limited them to smaller areas.

Standards discussed at the session, as summarized by The Retrospect and GatherGov:

  • Size between 400 and 1,000 square feet
  • A bedroom, kitchen and bathroom (a studio-style kitchen and bedroom setup was allowed)
  • Max height of 22 feet, or the height of the primary house, whichever is lower
  • Detached ADUs at least 10 feet from the primary residence
  • One ADU per property
  • Parking calculated by adding bedrooms from the primary house and the ADU

That last point matters if you are already tight on driveway space.

Duplexes in three zones only

Duplexes were recommended only in the R-7, R-8 and R-9 residential zones. The pitch was practical: a path for residents who want to downsize, and for newcomers who cannot stretch for a typical three- or four-bedroom house.

Less coverage, more stormwater breathing room

Commissioners also heard a recommendation to cut permitted building and impervious coverage in residential zones by about 10 percent. The goal, per GatherGov's meeting summary, was to discourage teardowns and help stormwater soak into the ground. The change would hit new construction and renovations that exceed 50 percent of the existing building footprint.

That sits next to the borough's master plan push for more housing choice and aging in place. The official 2024 Master Plan PDF is posted on the borough site if you want the bigger policy frame.

Where things stand on Nov. 6

As of the Nov. 6, 2026 morning borough scan, commissioners still have no agenda posted past the Oct. 26 final meeting. The Monday, Nov. 9 work session (6:30 p.m., Room 102 and Zoom) does not yet have an agenda up. Planning Board and Commissioners pages show no newer duplex or ADU ordinance action tied to these recommendations.

So if a neighbor tells you "it's already law," it is not. If someone says a January drafting deadline is locked, we have not seen a primary source that says that.

What to watch next

Watch the commissioners agendas page and Planning Board postings. When an ordinance actually lands for introduction, that is the moment to read the fine print on size, parking, zones and coverage.

If you are renovating or adding space in the meantime, start with when you need a construction permit and what needs Historic Preservation Commission approval. For the most recent commissioner votes that did clear first reading, see stop signs, the ladder truck and holiday parking.

FAQ

Have the ADU or duplex rules been adopted? No. The July 13, 2026 work session covered recommended master plan changes. As of Nov. 6, 2026, borough pages show no newer duplex or ADU ordinance action.

Where would duplexes be allowed under the recommendation? Limited to the R-7, R-8 and R-9 residential zoning districts.

Sources

Housing rules change one meeting at a time. Get the Friday newsletter so you hear about the next agenda before the rumor mill does.